Chilblains - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is Chilblains?

Chilblains are a painful abnormal reaction of the small blood vessels in the skin when exposed to cold temperatures. Chilblains usually occur several hours after exposure to the cold in temperate humid climates. The cold causes constriction of the small blood vessels in the skin and if rewarming of the skin happens too rapidly, there is leakage of blood into the tissues as the blood vessels do not respond quickly enough to this rewarming. Chilblains are not very common in countries where the cold is more extreme as the air is drier. The living conditions and clothing used in these climates are protective. Chilblains are more likely to develop in those with poor circulation, but chilblains are still common in those with good circulation.

Causes of Chilblains

Chilblains is an abnormal reaction to cold. Elderly people with a poor circulation are at a greater risk. Young adults who work outdoors or in cold conditions, such as butchers, are also at risk. If the skin is chilled and then followed by too rapid warming such as a gas fire, a chilblain may develop. Damp living conditions can also be a contributing factor include :-

• A familial tendency,
• Tight shoes,
• Poor circulation anemia,
• Abrupt temperature changes,
• Poor nutrition,
• Harmonal changes and
• Some connective tissue and bone marrow disorders.

Symptoms of Chilblains

• A burning sensation on the skin.
• Red, swollen patches.
• The lesion becomes increasingly painful.
• The lesion becomes very itchy.
• Intense itching.
• Dry skin, leading to splits and cracks.

Treatment of Chilblains

The treatment of chilblain includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plants.

• Avoide scratching
• Anti-itch creams
• Calamine lotion
• Keep area warm

Natural Home Remedies for Chilblains

1. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin even on dull days.
2. Gentle exercise will improve circulation to your feet.
3. Use soothind lotions such as witch hazel and calamine.
4. Lanolin and similar rubbed into the feet will help retain body heat.
5. Honey and Egg - Honey will cicatrize open chilblain. Take a tablespoon of honey, a little glrcerin, and one egg white. And add to this a little flour to make a paste. Apply all over the chilblain. Leave it on 7-8 hours and then wash of gently.

Preventions tips for Chilblains

• Keep your hands and feet warm when out in cold weather by using warm gloves and socks.
• Keep the head and neck warm with hat and scarf.
• Exercise vigourously before going outside.
• Wear cotton-lined waterproof gloves for wet work
• Take vasodilator medication such as nifedipine prescribed before the onset of cold weather and taken throughout winter. Side effects include flushing and headache.
• Apply sunscreen to exposed skin even on dull days.